Chancellor to waive VAT on X Factor winner’s charity single

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced that the Government will waive VAT on sales of the X Factor winner's charity single.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has today announced that the Government will waive VAT on sales of the X Factor winner’s charity single by making a charitable donation to Together for Short Lives, the charity chosen to benefit from sales of the song. The donation will be equivalent to the sum of the VAT receipts collected on sales.

Together for Short Lives works with children with life-limiting illnesses, providing wide ranging support to their families. George Osborne wants to recognise the efforts of Together for Short Lives by boosting the donation the charity receives by adding the VAT equivalent.

The Chancellor said:

Together for Short Lives does a brilliant job supporting families of children with life-limiting conditions. I’m delighted to be able to do my bit to help, handing the VAT back and ensuring that as much money as possible goes to the charity.

Barbara Gelb, Chief Executive, Together for Short Lives said:

We wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne urging that the Government hand back to us the VAT on the X Factor winner’s single, and we are absolutely delighted that he has agreed. This will be a wonderful boost and will help to support the services that provide care to children and young people with life-threatening or life-limiting health conditions across the UK. We work to ensure that children can get the best possible care, wherever they are, and whenever they need it, so families can make the most of precious time together. This generous VAT waiver on the single will make a real difference.

Notes for Editors

The fundraising song is performed by the winner of this year’s ITV1 show X Factor and is released on 9 December. All net proceeds from sales are going to Together for Short Lives, a charity that provides support for children who are unlikely to reach adulthood as well as support to their families.

The donation will be equivalent to the sum of the VAT receipts collected on sales before the end of December 2012